BOGOTA — Colombia's president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, vowed on July 9, 2026, to dismantle the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the tribunal established to address crimes from the conflict with the FARC. The tribunal began operating in 2018 and is protected by Colombia's Constitution. De la Espriella described the institution as a "failed" court.

His designated justice minister, Iván Cancino, stated he does not intend to eliminate the tribunal but will demand results and review its spending. U.S. President Donald Trump has endorsed de la Espriella.

Alejandro Ramelli, president of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, stated that closing the institution was contingent on its continued work. Ramelli added that if the tribunal does not continue its work, Colombia would be in breach of its obligations to the International Criminal Court. He further stated that an "abrupt termination" of the tribunal would result in a legal limbo and that cutting its budget "would seriously affect the fundamental right of access to justice."

The International Criminal Court concluded in 2021 that Colombia was meeting its international justice obligations and closed its preliminary examination of the country. The Colombian government signed a peace accord with the FARC rebel group in 2016. The tribunal has a mandate to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity until 2028, with an additional five-year period for trials. Colombia's Congress will decide whether to extend the tribunal's term by another five years after the trial period.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has handled cases involving more than 14,000 suspects accused of crimes committed during the conflict. Approximately 70% of these suspects are former FARC guerrillas, and about 29% are former members of the security forces. The tribunal issued rulings against FARC's former leadership for over 21,000 kidnappings and against a group of former military personnel for more than 100 extrajudicial killings. The FARC and the military acknowledged responsibility for these crimes.

Those found responsible in the kidnapping and extrajudicial killing cases received alternative sentences that did not include prison time, which required them to carry out projects benefiting victims. The tribunal also handed down a 20-year prison sentence to a former soldier who denied participating in extrajudicial killings. Outgoing President Gustavo Petro stated on X that the tribunal's budget "must be strengthened" and that "establishing the judicial truth about the conflict is fundamental to national reconciliation."